Cole Pond Dam

TR BLACK RIVER· Merrimack, New Hampshire· Built 1973· Concrete· 10 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Cole Pond Dam is classified as low hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1973 and is 53 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 16% in NH)
Dam Length110 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage131 acre-ft
Normal Storage88 acre-ft
Surface Area15 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge359 cfs
Year Completed1973 (53 years old)
NID IDNH00622

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: June 16, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NH DES

Ownership

RAGGED MOUNTAIN FISH AND GAME CLUB

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cole Pond Dam?

Cole Pond Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Cole Pond Dam?

Cole Pond Dam is owned by RAGGED MOUNTAIN FISH AND GAME CLUB (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cole Pond Dam built?

Cole Pond Dam was completed in 1973, making it 53 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Cole Pond Dam?

Cole Pond Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Cole Pond Dam?

Cole Pond Dam has a dam height of 10 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Cole Pond Dam last inspected?

Cole Pond Dam was last inspected on June 16, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.